USDA Downed Animal Ban Under Attack by Agribusiness

On December 30, 2003, the USDA implemented several measures to address public concern over the discovery of mad cow disease (a.k.a. bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE) in the United States, including a ban on the slaughter of downed cattle, animals too sick to stand, for human food. Alarmingly, agribusiness and their legislative allies in Washington, DC are lobbying the USDA to lift the downer ban. It is absolutely critical for USDA to hear from citizens who support the ban on slaughtering downed animals for human food.

The USDA is accepting public comments on its downer ban until April 12, 2004. Please write, and encourage your friends, family and others to write as well. Urge the USDA to retain their ban on downer cows, and urge the agency to expand the ban on downers to include other species, such as sheep and pigs. This public comment period provides a rare opportunity to formally express concerns about the irresponsible and inhumane marketing and slaughter of downed animals.

The USDA's recent downed cow ban represents a long overdue policy shift, and it is imperative that we do everything in our power to maintain it, and hopefully to expand it. Please write today.

FSIS Docket Clerk

Docket 03-025IF

Room 102, Cotton Annex

300 12th and C Street SW.

Washington, DC 20250-3700

Fax: 202-690-0486

FSIS.Regulations@usda.gov

Please click here for a draft letter that can be forwarded to USDA. (Please add your comments to personalize letter).

To read the USDA's interim final rule on the "Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle" and their request for comments, please click above.

17 Year History of Farm Sanctuary's No Downers Campaign

http://www.nodowners.org/timeline.htm

Newspaper Articles Regarding Historic USDA Policy

http://www.nodowners.org/media_index.htm

(Hyperlinks available at http://www.nodowners.org/pr_mad_cow.htm